ENGINEERING REFERENCE

The contents of this document are proprietary and confidential. They are the
property of Ariel Corporation and may not be disclosed, reproduced, or used for
manufacture in part or in whole without written permission from Ariel Corporation.

Packing and Distance Piece Vent Systems

Distance piece compartments must be vented to a safe location due to potential gas leakage. This
section identifies some methods to safely route this leaking gas to atmospheric vents, flare systems, or
vent gas recovery systems. Special notes:

Remove distance piece covers to confirm internal tubing connection types and locations.
Limit distance piece compartment pressure to 25 psig (1.7 barg).
Do not plug vents to use drains for venting.
Do not reduce the connection sizes provided by Ariel.
Increase to minimum 3/8 inch tubing from the 1/4 NPT connection (see item 3, FIGURE 1) for
packing vent/drain.
For a remotely mounted crankcase breather, configure piping to prevent back pressure and piping
condensation drainage into the crankcase. Do not connect the crankcase breather to a packing and
distance piece vent system.

Vent and Drain Connections

Packing Purge (optional) - The packing case can be purged
with sweet natural gas or inert gas at a pressure exceeding the
packing vent back-pressure to prevent process gas from entering
the distance piece.
Distance Piece Vent Gas may leak from this vent as the
packing case wears and packing vent gas back-pressure builds.
Packing Vent/Drain This connection vents gas leakage from
the packing assembly, preventing it from entering the distance
piece. The leakage includes oil; route the connection to a
separation pot to remove oil before routing to a gas vent, flare, or
recovery system.
Distance Piece Drain(s) Some distance pieces may have two
drains, as shown in FIGURE 1. Connect both drains to the drain
system.

1. Packing Purge 3. Packing

Vent/Drain
(Optional)
4. Distance
2. Distance
Piece Drain
Piece Vent

FIGURE 1 Typical Vent/Drain

Connections

For the most recent edition of this document, visit www.arielcorp.com.

Page 3,"Flare Vent System" , 4th : "If the VVCP has one vent connection, do" was
"Do". Added "If the VVCP has two vent connections, connect the vent closest to the
cylinder to the distance piece vent line. Leave the second vent connection open to
the atmosphere." Page 6, "Variable Volume Clearance Pocket Vents": see EC for
further details.

REV

Page 1 of 9

DESCRIPTION

REV 5

4
3
2
1
0
REV

020079
019052
018694
018450
-15759
EC

1-29-15
10-22-13
1-25-13
9-21-12
5-25-12
DATE

5
REV

019292
EC

2-17-15
DATE

ER-56.12

The contents of this document are proprietary and confidential. They are the
property of Ariel Corporation and may not be disclosed, reproduced, or used for
manufacture in part or in whole without written permission from Ariel Corporation.

ENGINEERING REFERENCE

TABLE 1 Distance Piece Vent and Drain NPT Connection Sizes, Inches
Frame

Outboard Vent Connection

Distance Piece Drain Connection

JG:A:M:P:N:Q:R:J

1/4

1/4

JGH:E:K:T (STD/S2C), JGC:D:F

3/4

1/2

JGH:E:K:T (L2C)

3/4

3/4

KBZ:U

1/2

KBB:V

1-1/2

1/2

Atmospheric Vent System

Route the packing
vent/drain to a separation
pot to remove lube oil from
the vent line before routing
to the vent destination.
Manifold distance piece
drains separately from the
packing vent/drain line to
the separation pot to
ensure packing vent gas
does not flow back through
the distance piece drains,
preventing proper distance
piece drainage.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

The vent leaving the oil

separation tank must be
large enough to freely flow
the total of individual
packing vents in worn
condition.

Packing Vent/Drain
Distance Piece Vent
Distance Piece Drain
VVCP Gas Vent
Oil Separation Pot

FIGURE 2 Venting to
Atmosphere
TABLE 2 Typ. Packing Vent/Drain Leakage Rates

Page 2 of 9

New

0.1 - 0.2 cfm

6 - 12 cfh

0.15 - 0.3 m3/hr

Worn

2 - 4 cfm

120 - 240 cfh

2 - 7 m3/hr

REV 5

ER-56.12

ENGINEERING REFERENCE

The contents of this document are proprietary and confidential. They are the
property of Ariel Corporation and may not be disclosed, reproduced, or used for
manufacture in part or in whole without written permission from Ariel Corporation.

Flare Vent System

Route the packing
vent/drain to a separation
pot to remove lube oil from
the vent line before routing
to the vent destination.
Manifold distance piece
drains separately from the
packing vent/drain line to
the separation pot to
ensure packing vent gas
does not flow back through
the distance piece drains,
preventing proper distance
piece drainage.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

The vent leaving the oil

separation tank must be
large enough to freely flow
the total of individual
packing vents in worn
condition.

Packing Vent/Drain
Distance Piece Vent
Distance Piece Drain
VVCP Gas Vent
Oil Separation Pot
Low Cracking
Pressure Check Valve

FIGURE 3 Venting to
Flare

If the VVCP has one vent connection, do not connect the VVCP gas vent to the flare vent system. The
flare vent system back-pressure will flow gas back through the VVCP vent and across the stem threads.
If the VVCP has two vent connections, connect the vent closest to the cylinder to the distance piece vent
line. Leave the second vent connection open to the atmosphere. See FIGURE 8.

Purge and Vent Systems

Purge systems are used in applications that require
better gas leakage containment for safety or
environmental reasons. Units compressing gas
containing more than 100 ppm hydrogen sulfide gas or
hydrogen rich gas are common applications for purge
gas systems.
Common purge gases include sweet natural gas or
nitrogen. Do not purge with air. Small amounts of
purge gas can leak into the atmosphere through the
frame, so use a purge gas that can be permitted to
leak in small quantities.

FIGURE 4 Typical Purge & Vent Packing

Introduce purge gas pressure at the distance piece
purge connection to the pressure packing case downstream of the packing vent/drain. Maintain purge
gas pressure 10 to 15 psi (0.7 to 1 bar) higher than packing vent back-pressure. The higher pressure
creates a barrier to ensure packing gas leakage routes through the packing vent/drain connection.
Expected purge rates are 5 cfh (0.14 m3/hr) per purge point.
An eductor or vacuum pump can be used to lower the vent system pressure, or to route vent gas to
higher disposal pressures. Set vacuum pressure to a light vacuum (up to several inches of water
column) to avoid drawing air into the system.

Page 3 of 9

REV 5

ER-56.12

ENGINEERING REFERENCE

The contents of this document are proprietary and confidential. They are the
property of Ariel Corporation and may not be disclosed, reproduced, or used for
manufacture in part or in whole without written permission from Ariel Corporation.

Purged Vent System for Long Two-Compartment Distance Piece

Three separate vents route
from the throw: the packing
vent/drain, and outboard and
inboard distance piece vents
and drains. Keep these vents
separate from each other.
Install a partition in the
separation pot to allow liquid
to accumulate on one side.
This acts as a liquid check
valve between the three vent
lines. Fill the separation pot
before initial start up.

1. Packing
Vent/Drain
2. Distance Piece
Vent - Outboard
3. Distance Piece
Drain - Outboard
4. Distance Piece
Vent - Inboard
5. Distance Piece
Drain - Inboard
6. Purge
7. Oil Separation Pot
8. Low Cracking
Pressure Check
Valve

Though the partition in the

separation pot is preferred,
mechanical check valves can
separate the three vent lines.
Do not install a check valve
on packing vent drain line.
In a long two-compartment
guide, the pressure packing
case, intermediate (partition)
packing case, and wiper seal
case can be purged.

FIGURE 5 Long
Two-Compartment
Vent and Purge

Purged Vent System for Short Two-Compartment Distance Piece

Three separate vents route from the throw:
the packing vent/drain, and the outboard
and inboard distance piece vents and
drains. Keep these vents separate from
each other.

FIGURE 6 Short
Two-Compartment
Vent and Purge

1. Packing
Install a partition in the separation pot to
Vent/Drain
allow liquid to accumulate on one side. This 2. Distance Piece
acts as a liquid check valve between the
Vent - Inboard
3. Distance Piece
three vent lines. Fill the separation pot
Drain - Inboard
before initial start up.
4. Distance Piece

Vent - Outboard
Though the partition in the separation pot is
5. Distance Piece
preferred, mechanical check valves can
Drain -Outboard
separate the three vent lines. Do not install 6. Purge
a check valve on the packing vent drain line. 7. Oil Separation Pot

In a short two-compartment guide, the

pressure packing case can be purged.

8. Low Cracking
Pressure Check
Valve

The vent and drain closest to the cylinder

leak gas only if there is a seal leakage at
installation. This compartment vents gas
from the crank end head seal, packing case
nose gasket, cup-to-cup seal faces, or
loose packing bolts.
Page 4 of 9

REV 5

ER-56.12

ENGINEERING REFERENCE

The contents of this document are proprietary and confidential. They are the
property of Ariel Corporation and may not be disclosed, reproduced, or used for
manufacture in part or in whole without written permission from Ariel Corporation.

Purged Vent System for Single Distance Piece with Sweep Purge
A long single compartment
distance piece can be
configured to reduce gas
leakage to the atmosphere
with a packing case purge
and a distance piece sweep
purge. Supply the packing
case purge at a pressure of
10-15 psi (0.7 to 1 bar)
above the packing vent back
pressure. Supply the
distance piece sweep purge
at a regulated flow rate of 5
scfh (0.14 m3/hr). The
distance piece compartment
is both purged and vented,
allowing the purge gas to
sweep the compartment.

1. Packing
Vent/Drain
2. Distance
Piece Vent
3. Distance
Piece Drain
4. Packing
Pressure
Purge
5. Distance
Piece Flow
(sweep) Purge
6. Oil Separation
Pot
7. Low Cracking
Pressure
Check Valve

Single compartment
distance piece configuration
can be used with a pressure
packing purge to control
emissions. A distance piece
flow or sweep purge can be
added for greater reliability.

FIGURE 7 Single
Compartment
Sweep Purge

Piping Manifold Size

Considerations
Worn or damaged pressure packing rings can result in high vent flow rates and increased back pressure
on the vent line. Size venting lines sufficiently to avoid back pressure exceeding 25 psi (1.7 bar) on the
distance piece compartments.
When routed to a flare system, review flare upset conditions. Other equipment can provide a large flare
pressure that causes back pressure to the distance piece compartments.
To avoid back pressure from a short term flare pressure (seconds), install a check valve on the main
vent between the compressor system and the flare (downstream of the drain pots).
Whenever two lines are manifolded together, the combined line size should equal the added areas of
the incoming two lines. For example, if two 3/4 inch lines meet, a 1 inch line is appropriate after the
connection. This includes packing vent/drain as well as distance piece vents and drains. Larger sizes
may be necessary to allow proper draining for lines that can contain oil.
Size drain lines generously to allow proper draining when adequate slopes are not possible.

Page 5 of 9

REV 5

ER-56.12

ENGINEERING REFERENCE

The contents of this document are proprietary and confidential. They are the
property of Ariel Corporation and may not be disclosed, reproduced, or used for
manufacture in part or in whole without written permission from Ariel Corporation.

Monitoring a Purge and Vent System

Maintenance of the system and wearing parts is crucial to success. As the packing wears, leakage rate
increases can overcome the application of the purge gas.
System monitoring methods include the following (see ER-56.07 for additional information):
Packing vent gas temperature out of the packing case. Monitor packing vent line temperature
immediately outside the distance piece. Higher leakage flow rates have higher tubing temperatures. If
immersing a temperature device in the vent line for vent gas temperatures, route the installation to
prevent the hot oil in the line from contacting the probe as this spikes the temperature.
Packing case temperature. Install a temperature element in the packing case in lieu of monitoring
packing vent/drain tubing temperature manually.
Purge gas to vent gas differential pressure. A differential pressure gauge across the purge gas
and packing vent/drain line provides a positive indication the vent line flow is not creating more back
pressure than the purge gas pressure.
Packing vent flow. Packing flow measurements must consider the oil in the packing vent/drain lines.
Either remove the oil from the line prior to measurement, or install an appropriate flow meter into a
larger pipe section where oil in the line is not a concern. An RTD style mass flow meter may be used in
larger line sizes.

Capacity Control Device Vents

Variable Volume Clearance Pocket Vents
In a single-vent VVCP, the gas vent is not sealed
from the atmosphere at the operator end of the
stem. Route this gas vent to an atmospheric vent.
Do not connect it to a vent that can have backpressure. In a double-vent VVCP, the vent closest
Single-Vent VVCP
to the cylinder can be connected to the frame end
1. Step-Cut joint Piston Ring 3. Grease Fitting
distance piece piping. Leave the second vent open 2. Open to Atmosphere
4. Unloader Stem Seal
to the atmosphere.

Double-Vent VVCP
1. Step-Cut joint Piston Ring 4. Grease Fitting
5. Unloader Stem Seal
2. Gas Vent
3. Open to Atmosphere

FIGURE 8 Typical VVCP

Page 6 of 9

REV 5

ER-56.12

ENGINEERING REFERENCE

The contents of this document are proprietary and confidential. They are the
property of Ariel Corporation and may not be disclosed, reproduced, or used for
manufacture in part or in whole without written permission from Ariel Corporation.

Pneumatic Capacity Control Devices

Fixed Volume Clearance Pockets
Fixed volume clearance pockets include control and vent connections:
GV1: Gas + actuation gas vent. Vent to safe atmosphere
(no back-pressure). Vents any leakage past the primary
gas seal. The second seal prevents gas leakage into the
cylinder side of the actuator piston. Due to this two seal
configuration, this vent can be connected to the vent
system at low pressure.
CM: Actuation gas inlet for control media. Typical control
pressures range from 70 to 125 psig (4.8 - 8.6 barg).
Note: Consult Ariel unit specific parts manual or
contact Ariel for actual control media pressure
requirements. A check valve is required upstream
of the solenoid.
Apply control pressure to CM to close pocket and load
cylinder end.
FIGURE 9 Typical Pneumatic
GV2: Vent to safe atmosphere (no back-pressure). Vents
Fixed
Volume Clearance Pocket
any leakage of actuation media past the primary gas seal.
The second seal prevents gas leakage into the
atmosphere. GV2 need not be tubed away if air is the actuation medium.
AV1: Vent to safe atmosphere (no back-pressure). Vents cylinder side of actuator piston.
GVD: Normally plugged. Use to drain or vent pocket, if needed.

Suction Valve Unloaders

Suction valve unloaders include control and vent connections:
CM: Actuation gas inlet for control media. Use to apply control
pressure: 60-100 psig (4.1 - 6.9 barg). Note: Consult Ariel
unit specific parts manual or contact Ariel for actual
control media pressure requirements. A check valve is
required upstream of the solenoid.
Apply control pressure to CM to deactivate valve and unload
cylinder end.
GV1: Gas + actuation gas vent. Vent to safe atmosphere (no
back-pressure). Vents any process gas leakage past the stem
seal. Since this is a single seal configuration, this vent can be
connected only to a low pressure vent system or safe
atmosphere.
AV1: Vent to safe atmosphere (no back-pressure). Vents
cylinder side of actuator piston.
FIGURE 10 Typical Suction
Valve Unloader

Page 7 of 9

REV 5

ER-56.12

ENGINEERING REFERENCE

The contents of this document are proprietary and confidential. They are the
property of Ariel Corporation and may not be disclosed, reproduced, or used for
manufacture in part or in whole without written permission from Ariel Corporation.

1. Control Pressure Source

2. System Accumulator or
Storage Vessel
3. Pressure Relief Valve
4. Filter/Separator
5. Supply Line
6. Regulator (if required)
7. Local Accumulator (if
required)
8. Full-Port Check Valve
9. 3-Way Full-Port Control
Valve
10. Fixed Volume Clearance
Pocket
11. Suction Valve Unloader

FIGURE 11 Typical
Control Schematic

Page 8 of 9

REV 5

ER-56.12

ENGINEERING REFERENCE

The contents of this document are proprietary and confidential. They are the
property of Ariel Corporation and may not be disclosed, reproduced, or used for
manufacture in part or in whole without written permission from Ariel Corporation.

Installation Notes
CAUTION: Install backflow protection between the supply source and the solenoids to
prevent over-pressure of plant air compressors or other supply sources in the event of
actuator seal failure.
1. Ariel recommends clean air or inert gas to activate the actuator.
2. Do not exceed maximum control pressure as listed on the device. Maximum pressure varies on fixed
volume clearance pockets. Maximum pressure on suction valve unloader actuators is 150 psig
(10.34 barg).
3. Use minimum 3/8 inch (9.53 mm) O.D. tubing throughout.
4. An electrically activated solenoid operating a 3-port, 2-position control valve regulates control
pressure. Place control valve to minimize tubing length between the control valve and actuators:
Below 800 RPM, tube length between the control valve and the actuators must be less than 15
feet (4.57 m).
Above 800 RPM, tube length must be less than 10 feet (3.05 m).
Apply or release control pressure quickly to ensure proper device activation/deactivation:
For suction valve unloaders, less than or equal to three revolutions of the compressor.
For fixed volume clearance pockets, less than or equal to two seconds.
5. The control valve flow coefficient (Cv) must be no less than 1.6. Attach no devices or tubing to the
exhaust port that would reduce vent flow.
6. The unloader assembly drawing or part list specifies control pressure required to operate the
actuators. Ariel recommends monitoring and alarming operating gas pressure to prevent operation
below this value.
7. Always leave actuator vents open to ensure safe and effective unloader operation. Do not allow
paint to block vents.
When process gas is toxic, flammable, or in any other way objectionable in the compressor building,
pipe the lower vent to carry any leakage away. Use vent tubing no less than 3/8 inch (9.53 mm) O.D.,
and if combined with any other vent system, allow no back pressure or vacuum in this piping.

Page 9 of 9

REV 5

ER-56.12